Simon Ackerman Photography Blog: stunning

Friday, 11 July 2014

Endless Motions

Perhaps it’s a delicate set of features shielded by a sharp, tailored suit, or a gesture so feminine at heart that it is nearly impossible to lose in a masculine translation; as it may be all about an inborn gentleness that gets toughened up by bits and pieces of menswear inspiration, or a severe attitude tamed by the most beautiful expression. Endless motions get to be rewritten with Simon Ackerman behind the camera, as he appears ready to use powerful contrasts in order to fully disclose hidden emotions.

Cinematic in all of its confined sense of luxury, the reimagining of the dandy girl is never to be done without the imminent collision of past and present. Her timeless portrait, impeccably styled by Tracy Michael, talks just as much about today’s modern aesthetic, as it does about the brave women of yesterday, who understood men’s clothing better than men themselves.

With hair by Debbie Hancock and make-up by Jemma Venables, check the complete photo shoot by Simon Ackerman (www.simonackerman.co.uk) at the gallery.

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

A peachy, gilded beauty look: Hibiscus

Photographer Simon Ackerman creates a beautiful expression of bare skin and bare beauty in this exquisite portraiture shoot. Rather than the apparel that covers the body being the focus of the shoot, Ackerman draws attention to the body on which that apparel would sit, and the beauty of the face. Model Michelle Hicks’s soft creamy skin, ocean blue eyes and lips withholding unspoken words, create focus and are defined as where the true beauty lies.

The delicate addition of a low rolled hairstyle studded with flowers – created by Darren Bay – is symbolic of the delicacy found in the curve of the natural female form. Meanwhile, the beauty look by Lindsay Cullen is a picture of blushing femininity that mirrors the colours of the petals.

For steps on recreating the makeup look, read on after the break.

Eyes.

This look uses a beige/neutral base and a gold pigment. Lindsay applied ‘Ricepaper’ eyeshadow by MAC on the brow bone and OCC pigment in ‘Flicker’ at the crease.

Line eyes at the top of the lash and bottom waterline with a brown liner to compliment the gold tone. Lindsay used ‘Coffee’ eyeliner by MAC.

Take an eyeliner brush and swipe just above the top lash liner with an orange/gold shimmer such as Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) ‘Mimosa’ pigment.

Finish with two coats of mascara (for the shoot, Full ‘N Soft waterproof mascara by Maybelline was used).

Brows.

Frame your face with a heavier brow using an angled eyebrow brush and the same brown eyeliner applied throughout the brow.

Lips.

This look compliments the golden hues of the eyes with a coral-peach lip. Lindsay mixed Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) lip tars in ‘Interlace’ palest crème peach and ‘Trollop’ pinked coral.

Finishing touches.

To finish off the look, give the cheeks a rosy-bronze flush. For the shoot, Lindsay used Chanel blush in rose bronze and Laura Mercier bronzer on the apples of the cheeks.

Written by Chevaun Roux for www.fashionising.com